*when you purchase a lossless format, we include the MP3 free of charge

Please Note: On Mp3 format an unavoidable click may be heard on segue track breaks, to avoid this issue please select lossless

WARNING - you must enable Javascript in your browser to order higher quality download formats

DOWNLOADS

Piano Recital: Fialkowska, Janina - CHOPIN, F.

Select Complete Single Disc for

FRYDERYK CHOPIN

1

Polonaise No. 1 in C sharp minor, Op. 26, No. 1

8:03

2

Waltz No. 2 in A flat major, Op. 34, No. 1, "Valse brillante"

5:09

3

Waltz No. 12 in F minor, Op. 70, No. 2

3:54

4

Waltz No. 4 in F major, Op. 34, No. 3, "Valse brillante"

2:25

5

Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2

3:33

6

Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60

8:47

24 Preludes, Op. 28

7

Prelude No. 8 in F sharp minor

2:00

8

Prelude No. 17 in A flat major

3:40

9

Nocturne No. 17 in B major, Op. 62, No. 1

6:52

10

Mazurka No. 27 in E minor, Op. 41, No. 1

2:35

11

Mazurka No. 23 in D major, Op. 33, No. 2

2:36

12

Mazurka No. 36 in A minor, Op. 59, No. 1

4:04

13

Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47

7:07

14

Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20

9:42

Janina Fialkowska Soloist

To mark the bicentenary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin, pianist Janina Fialkowska has selected the Polish composer’s most beautiful works for piano, including the Polonaises, Préludes, Valses, Nocturnes, Ballades, Mazurkas, and Scherzos. Celebrated for her interpretations of the classical and romantic repertoire, she is particularly distinguished as one of the great interpreters of the piano works of Chopin and Mozart.

For more than 30 years, Madame Fialkowska has been enjoying a stellar career, launched in 1974 when she won first prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition.

CD of the week
"Before Chopin Year floods us with tinklers in micro-skirts and Lang Lang duetting with Richard Clayderman, wrap your ears around the real thing. Janina Fialkowska, a Candadian, ran off with the first Artur Rubinstein competition in 1974 and won a devoted following for her warm and intimate tone, so unlike the bangers and crashers of the competition circuit. A tumour in her left arm forced a career break early in the present decade, but she’s back now and more characterful than ever. Her technique is fearless. Fialkowska takes the Grande valse brillante in F major as if it were the Moonlight sonata opening and she flickers through the waltzes, mazurkas and polonaises with the dazzle of a disco dancer. I particularly like her colour differentiations within the hackneyed old Minute Waltz, which I never expected to listen to again with pleasure. Best of all is the B major nocturne, which she plays conversationally without extremes of quietude and pointless rubato pauses. This is high-class Chopin playing, deeply felt and demonstrably authentic. Fialkowska writes the booklet notes herself, with much the same directness, explaining her choices and contrasts in a language accessible to all. The sound, from a studio in Quebec, is as good as it gets."

Normand Lebrecht - La Scena Musicale - 16 December 2009

"Montreal pianist Janina Fialkowska has taken 14 pieces by the quintessential Romantic, Frédéric Chopin, and laid them down as if for a piano recital, alternating moods and tempos along the way. We have the full range of his bonbons – Polonaises, Waltzes, Preludes, Mazurkas, a Barcarolle, a Ballade and a Scherzo – all played with a stylish confidence and underlying power. Even though these are all well-worn pieces, Fialkowska makes each sound fresh." ***½ (out of 4)

John Terauds - The Toronto Star - 10 November 2009

"Janina Fialkowska is a Canadian pianistic stalwart – more amazing still because of her recovery from a 2002 cancer surgery that threatened her career. Her performance of the Chopin standards in this recording is remarkably strong. Her masculine keyboard energy is undiminished and her feminine subtleties as seductive as ever. This Yin and Yang are so beautifully balanced in her interpretations that one quickly forgets the performer while being drawn deeply into the swirling emotions that make Chopin’s music unique.
Stepping out of the way of the music is something Fialkowska does with clever and manipulative grace. One easily takes the bait offered by her technical perfection and is drawn toward the fiery melancholy of Chopin’s world... and her musicianship is impeccable. The audio balance of this recording leaves just the perfect amount of room space around the piano. And although the Steinway Fialkowska uses sounds a bit brighter and harder in the mid range than we generally hear from these instruments, this disc should definitely be a part of your Chopin collection."

Alex Baran - The WholeNote - 1 February 2010

CD of the Month
Music ***** Sound *****

"...This recording is without any doubt one of the most beautiful contributions to the Chopin anniversary."

Frank Siebert - FonoForum - 1 April 2010

"This is a generous, well-chosen, and well-ordered group of pieces that includes the Barcarolle, Ballade 3, Scherzo 1, Polonaise Op. 26:1, Nocturne Op. 62:1, 4 Waltzes, 2 Preludes, and 3 Mazurkas. I listened to this recording many times, in several different venues and came away on each occasion feeling enlightened by some of the most elegant Chopin playing I’ve heard in some time... Fialkowska has chosen works that display the full gamut of Chopin’s genius. Her performances are without flaw, and there is so much that is so good here that I only need to touch on a few things to convince you that this recording should be a part of any music lover’s collection. There is a wonderful contrast between the powerful opening of the Polonaise and the almost languorous central episode. She gives the A-flat Waltz almost a teasing degree of panache that is rarely heard. The brilliant Waltz in F is taken at a blazing pace, first played quite aggressively, then at the softest dynamic level, with no slacking off in the tempo. The big pieces (Barcarolle, Ballade and Scherzo) are notable for their seamless transitions from the brilliant to lyrical sections and back again...."

Harrington - American Record Guide - 1 March 2010

"...an exquisitely balanced selection that captures Chopin in his many moods. It ranges from the sensitively explored introspection of the F minor Waltz Op posth., to a rapturous account of the fiercely demanding Scherzo No 2. Whether in the barnstorming A major Grande valse brillante, the soothing Barcarolle in F sharp or her exquisitely “felt” rendition of the Ballade No 3, Fialkowska displays impeccable stylistic antennae: she knows how to capture Chopin’s charm and spirit without sounding soft-centred or showy. This is a CD that rewards repeated listening." *****